Window-chair.



R. C. McNEILL.

WINDOW CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1914. Patentedsept 5,1916

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

R. C. McNElLL.

WINDOW CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED A PR.18, 1914.

PatentedSept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 1 L mwms FEYERS ca. Funmum ROBERT C. MCNEILL, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

WINDOW-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed April 18, 1914. Serial No. 832,863.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT C. MCNEILL, citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window- Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to window chairs, and has as its object to provide a chair of this class which may be readily mounted within any ordinary window and readily and quickly secured in place and removed.

It is another aim of the invention to provide a window chair which may be used with comfort and which will be entirely safe and not liable to slip after adjustment.

The chair embodying the present invention includes an adjustable sill engaging member, and it is an aim of the invention to provide means for positively locking this member at adjustment at the time the chair is arranged for use, so that the parts cannot become loose while the chair is being used.

The invention further contemplates so constructing the locking means that it will act automatically to release the adjusting means when the back of the chair is swung down upon the seat.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in front to rear section, illustrating the chair embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the chair. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4 is a detail view, illustrating the connection for the back of the chair, and illustrating the parts in position immediately prior to swinging the back to position upon the seat. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4:, but illustrating the back partly swung down. Fig. 6 is a section on the line G6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a group perspective view, illustrating the members of the connection between the back and seat. Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a similar' view. but looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the latch pin for holding the back in raised position. Fig. 11 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating the pawl and ratchet means provided for locking the adjusting means.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters. In the drawings, the seat of the chair is illustrated as comprising a number of slats or sections 1, secured together in assembled relatlon upon the upper sides of supporting frame members 2, one of which is located at each side of the seat. Each frame member includes a relatively short front supporting leg 3 and a longer rear supporting leg 4:, these legs being designed to rest upon the sill of a window frame within which the chair is arranged, in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. As shown in the said Fig. 1, the rear legs 3 are designed to abut against the outer side of the ledge of the window sill and a clamping means is provided for cooperation with the inner side of the sill adjustable to coact with the said supporting legs to firmly clamp the structure to the sill.

The clamping means, above referred to, includes a head 5 which is approximately hook-shaped and which has a concaved side 6 to receive the bead of the window sill and a flat clamping face 7 designed to bear against the inner face of the sill. At its upper side the clamping head is provided with a sleeve 8, which is interiorly cylindrical and in which is rotatably fitted a stem 9, the portion of the stem fitting within the sleeve being square in cross section. A collar 10 is fixed upon the stem and bears against one end of the sleeve 8, and a crank handle 11 is removably fitted upon the end of the said sleeve which projects beyond the other end of the sleeve 8, the said handle being provided with a squared socket 12 for this purpose. The end of the socket 12 bears against a collar 13 which is secured upon the stem and engages the other end of the sleeve 8, and it will therefore be apparent that the stem is prevented from shifting longitudinally within the sleeve. A sleeve 14: is fixedly supported beneath the seat, in a manner which will be presently explained and is interiorly threaded, and the stem 9, except for its squared portion isthreaded, as indicated by the numeral 15 and adjustably fitted within the sleeve 14:. It willnow be understood that by rotating the handle 11, the stem 9 will be rotated and if the head 5 of the clamping member has been disposed against the window sill, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, the seat will be moved bodily toward the said clamping head, provided of course the crank handle is rotated in the proper direction or, on the other hand, if the supporting frames for the seat have been disposed upon the window sill, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and the clamping head 5 is, at such time, spaced from the inner face of the window sill, the crank handle may be rotated in the proper direction to feed the head toward the said face of the window sill and into firm clamping engage ment therewith. In either event, the seat will be firmly clamped to the sill.

The device embodying the invention includes, as before stated, a seat and a back therefor, and the invention contemplates that the back shall be connected with the seat in such a manner that it may be supported in upright position or may be folded down to lie upon the seat, and the invention further contemplates the provision of means for locking the stem 9 against rotation when the back is in raised position. As the locking means is actuated automatically upon the movement of the back from upright to folded position, and vice versa, the connection between the seat and back will first be described. The connection mentioned comprises a hinge, one member of which consists of an attaching portion 1.6 secured to the under side of the seat at the rear thereof and integral spaced ears 17, which project from the under side of the said attaching portion. The ears 17 are substantially of involute form and extend clownwardly and thence forwardly beneath the attaching portion 16 of the hinge member. The ears are formed concentrically of their forward edges with alined openings 18, in which is fitted the pintle pin for connecting the members of the hinge, as will be presently explained. For a purpose to be presently pointed out, the ears above and rearwardly of the openings 18 are formed with notches 19. The other member of the hinge includes a shank portion 20, provided at one end with an ear 21 which is also substantially of involute form and which is fitted between the ears 17, a pintle pin connecting the ears 17 and 21, as indicated by the numeral 22. At its end opposite its end at which the ear 21 is formed, the shank 20 is provided with a head 23 which constitutes one member of an adjustable connection, between the hinge member of which the head 23 forms a part and the standard for the back, as will be presently more specifically described. It will be apparent, however, at this point that the back may be swung upon the pintle pin 22, so as to assume an upright position, as shown in Fig. 1, or a folded position, in which position the back will rest upon the upper side of the seat.

The locking means provided for holding the stem 9 against rotation, when the back is raised, includes a casing having an attaching portion 24 which is secured to the under side of the seat, in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, end walls 25 and side walls 26. The numeral 27 indicates the hub of a ratchet 28, the hub projecting at its ends axially beyond the opposite sides of the ratchet and being rotatably fitted in openings 29 formed in the end walls 25 of the casing, and this hub is provided with a squared bore 30 in which is slidably fitted the squared portion of the stem 9, the ratchet being in this manner connected for rotation with the said stem. One of the side walls 26 of the casing is provided with a depending portion 31 having a bearingsleeve portion 32 in which is rotatably fitted a short rock shaft 34. The shaft 34 is formed with a squared end 35 upon which is fitted the shank 36 of a pawl 37 having a beveled end 38, designed to engage between the teeth of the ratchet 28 in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 11. The pawl 37 is held upon the squared end of the shaft 34 by means of a screw 39 threaded into the said end of the shaft. The opposite end of the said shaft is squared, as indicated at 40, and has fitted upon it one end of an arm 41, the end of the arm being secured by means of a screw 42 threaded into this end of the shaft. The arm projects above the shaft and is formed with a slot 43. At this point it will be understood, and particularly by reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, that upon the rocking of the arm 41 from the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings to about the position shown in Fig. 5, the pawl 37 will be moved out of engagement with the ratchet 28, thereby permitting the stem 9 to be rotated, which movement, however, is prevented when the pawl is in engagement with the ratchet. As a means for automatically swinging the arm 41, in the manner stated, as the hinge member 20 is swung upon the pintle pin 22, there is provided a rod 44 which has one end reduced to form a shoulder 45, the said reduced end being fitted through the slot 43 in the arm 41 and having threaded upon it a nut 46 having a conoidal bearing end 47, which rests against one side of the said slotted arm, a spring 48 being fitted upon the reduced portion and bearing at one end against the other side of the arm and at its other end against the shoulder 45. The rod 44 is connected with the hinge member 20 in a manner which will now be explained.

In Fig. 10 there is showvn a latch pin comprising a section 49 and a section 50. The section 50 is formed in one end with a threaded socket 551 and the section 49 at one end is reduced and threaded, as at 50, its said end being fitted in the socket, and the sections being in this manner connected.

The socketed end of the section 50 is formed with a cylindrical enlargement 52 and the section 49 is formed inwardly of its reduced threaded end with a similar enlargement 53.

- In assembling the pin with the hinge members, which members it is designed to lock in position with the back of the chair upright, the portion of the section 49 of the pin between the enlarged portion 53 and the reduced threaded portion, is fitted through a slot 54 formed in the car 21 and the section 50 is then threaded on to the section 49. The enlarged portions 52 and 53 will of course serve to prevent longitudinal displacement of the latch pin, and these said portions are adapted to seat in the notches 19 formed in the ears 17 of the fixed hinge member. The rod 44 is provided at its end, opposite its end which is connected with the arm 41, with a head 55 having an opening 56 rotatably receiving one end of the latch pin, the said end of the latch pin being provided with a circumscribing groove 57, and a screw 58 being fitted through the head 55 and having a conical head 59 projecting in the said groove. In this manner the rod is connected with the latch pin and is prevented from accidental disengagement therefrom. As stated above, the latch pin Works in a slot 54 formed in the ear 21 of the movable hinge member, and when the pin is in the lower end of this slot and its enlarged portions are in engagement with the notches 19, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the movable hinge member will be locked against swinging movement in either direction about its pivot. In order to yieldably hold the latch pin in such position and to place it in such position, when the slot is in registration With the notches, leaf springs 60 are secured each at one end to the under side of the seat in advance of the pintle pin 22, and these springs are located one at each side of the fixed hinge member 17. The springs 60 extend rearwardly and have their rear ends bent over, as at 61, and located at opposite sides of the slot 54, the said bent ends of the springs being designed to receive the end portions of the latch pin, and the springs being so arranged as to bear downwardly upon this pin. As a means for lifting the springs from their bearing positions, a bail 62 is secured at its ends to the bent over ends of the springs, as indicated at 63, and extends upwardly at the back of the seat in convenient position to be grasped.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings and assuming that the parts are in the posi tion shown in this figure, it will be understood that, inasmuch as the latch pin is in engagement in the lower end'of the slot 54 and in the notches 19, the hinge'member 20 will be prevented from swinging either rearwardly or forwardly and, consequently, the

back of the chair will be supported in upright position and will not be liable to collapse or swing downwardly in either direction. It will furthermore be apparent that when the parts are in the position shown in the said figure, the pawl 37 will be in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 28 and, consequently, the stem 9 will be pre vented from rotating. If it were not for the provision of such a locking means, the clothing of the person occupying the seat would be liable to catch in the crank handle 11, causing rotation of the handle, and a loosening of the threaded portion of the stem 9. This, however, is prevented by the means hereinbefore described. Assuming now that it is desired to remove the chair from the sill, the bail 62 is grasped and pulled upwardly, thereby lifting the bent ends 61 of the springs 60 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. As the said ends of the springs partly embrace the end portions of the latch pin, the pin will be pulled upwardly until it seats in the upper end of the slot 54 and has become disengaged from the notches 19. The movable hinge member 20, or more specifically, the back supported thereby, may then be swung forwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 5, until the back is in position resting upon the seat. Upon such movement of the movable hinge member, the rod 44 will, of course, be shoved forwardly, and upon such movement of the rod, the arm 41 will be rocked in a corresponding direction, thereby moving the pawl 37 out of engagement with the ratchet 28. The user of the chair may then arrange the same within another window frame, and by rotating the crank handle 11, may adjust the parts to clamp the chair upon the sill and frame and after the desired adjustment has been secured, the back is swung up, thereby automatically locking the stem 9 against further turning movement. The sleeve 14, heretofore men tioned, is integral with the rear end of an arm 64 which at its forward end is mounted upon the pintle pin 22, in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The head 23 of the movable hinge member is formed with an opening 66 and with slots or seats 67, which are arranged in an arcuate series concentric with respect to the opening 66. A head 68 is disposed against one side of the head 23 and a pivot bolt 69 is fitted through the opening 66 and a similar opening in the said head 68, and has threaded upon it a thumb nut 70. A pawl 71 is pivotally mounted, as at 72, upon the head 68 and is provided at one end with a tooth 73, seating through a slot 74 in the head 68 and engageable interchangeably in J the slots or seats 67 in the head 23. The

opposite end of the pawl constitutes a finger piece 75, which may be pressed toward the head 68 for the purpose of rocking the pawl upon its pivot and thereby disengaging the tooth 7 3 from the slots 67, a sprmg 7 6; being mounted between the finger piece 75 and the outer face of the said head 68, and serving to normally hold the pawl in position with its tooth engaging in the slots 67 as clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing. The head 68 is provided at its rear side with a collar 7 7 having a squared opening 7 8 in which is fitted for vertical sliding adjustment, the standard 7 9 of a back rest 80, the standard being held at adjustment by means of a set screw 81 threaded through one side of the collar 77 and bearing against the said standard. The back rest 80 may be of any desired construction and is provided upon its rear side with a plate 82 having spaced ears 83 receiving between them an ear 84 formed at the upper end of the standard 79, a pivot pin 85 being fitted through the said ears 83 and 8 k and having thereon a nut 86 which may be tightened for the purpose of frictionally binding the ears, whereby to hold the back rest at angular adjustment with respect to the standard.

From the foregoing description of the back of the chair, it will be understood that by pressing the finger piece of the pawl 71, the standard may be angularly adjusted with respect to the movable member of the hinge to suit the convenience of the user of the chair.

In order to brace the hinge member 20 when it is in position to support the back rest, chains 87 are secured to the said hinge member and to plates 88 upon the under side of the seat.

In order to limit the backward swinging movement of the standard 79, the ear 23 is provided with a lug 89 and the head 68 is provided with a lug 90, these lugs being designed to engage with each other to limit the backward swinging movement of the standard 7 9, as before stated, in the event that the means for holding the standard at adjustment should become disarranged.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a device of the class described, a seat, a hinge member mounted upon the seat and having a notch, a hinge member connected with the first-mentioned member for swinging movement and provided with a slot, a back supported by the secondmentioned hinge member, a latch pin mounted for sliding movement in the said slot and engageable in the notch when the secondmentioned hinge member is in position to support the back upright, and a spring upon the seat bearing against the said latch pin and normally holding it in position for such engagement.

2. In a device of the class described, a

seat, a hinge member mounted upon the seat and having a notch, a hinge member connected with the first-mentioned member for swinging movement and provided with a slot, a back supported by the second-mentioned hinge member, a latch pin mounted for sliding movement in the said slot and engageable in the notch when the second mentioned hinge member is in position to support the back upright, a spring upon the seat bearing against the said latch pin and normally holding it in position for such engagement, and means connected with the spring and operable to move the same and thereby move the latch pin out of engagement in the said notch.

3. In a device of the class described, a seat, a hinge member mounted upon the seat and including spaced ears having oppositely located notches, a hinge member having an ear mounted between the ears of the firstmentioned member for pivotal movement, the second-mentioned ear having a slot, a latch pin mounted for sliding movement in the slot and adapted for engagement in the notches when the second-mentioned hinge member is in one position of adjustment, a back supported by the second-mentioned hinge member, and means upon the seat yieldably bearing against the said pin, whereby to hold the same in position for such engagement.

4. In a device of the class described, a seat, a back hingedly connected with the seat, a clamp member, a threaded stem supporting the clamp member and adjustably mounted beneath the seat, a ratchet rotatable with the said stem, a pawl arranged to cooperate with the ratchet, and means arranged for actuation upon movement of the back to upright position to move the said pawl into engagement with the said ratchet.

5. In a device of the class described, a seat, a back, a hinge connecting the back with the seat, a stem having threaded adjustable connection with the seat, a clamping member carried by the stem, a ratchet carried by the stem for rotation therewith, a pawl pivotally mounted and movable into and out of engagement with the ratchet, an arm connected with the pawl, and connection between the arm and the hinge for rocking the arm to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet when the back is swung to supporting position.

6. In a device of the class described, a seat, a back, a hinge connecting the back with the seat and comprising a fixed member and a movable member, a pin carried eccentrically by the movable member, a stem adjustably mounted upon the seat, a ratchet carried by the stem, a clamping member carried by the stem, a pawl arranged to cooperate with the ratchet, and

connection between the said pin and the pawl for moving the pawl into engagement with the ratchet upon the movement of the movable hinge member into position-t0 support the back upright.

7. In a device 01": the class described, a seat, a back, a hinge connecting the back with the seat, a latch pin carried by one member of the hinge and arranged to lock the hinge members when the back is upright, a stem adjustably mounted upon the seat, a clamping member carried by the stem, a ratchet carried by the stem, a pawl for cooperation with the ratchet, and connection between the pawl and latch pin arranged to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet when the latch pin is moved to locking position.

8. In a device of the class described, a seat, a back for the seat, a hinge connecting the back with the seat, a stem adjustably mounted upon the seat, a clamping member carried by the stem, a rock shaft, a pawl carried by the shaft, a slotted arm upon the shaft, a rod fitted through the said arm and having a head bearing at one side of the arm, a spring upon the rod bearing at the other side of the arm, and a pin upon one of the members of the hinge with which the other end of the said rod is connected, whereby when the back is moved to upright position, the rod will be moved to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT C. MoNEILL. [1,. s.]

WVitnesses:

FRANK M. CoNKLIN, CARRIE L. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. G. 

